Foot brush

ABSTRACT

A foot brush comprising a base further comprising a top and a bottom. A washing region comprising first fibers is attached to the top of the base. An abrasive region comprising an abrasive surface is integral to the base and a scrubbing region comprising second fibers is also attached to the base.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. patent appl. No.60/377,741 filed May 3, 2002 which is pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a foot brush. More specifically,the present invention relates to a therapeutic mat particularly adaptedfor cleaning, massaging and removing calluses from feet.

[0003] Foot comfort is a predominant aspect of total body comfort. It iswell known that soothing ones feet is an ongoing desire.

[0004] Yet another well-known phenomenon is the desire to clean andremove calluses from the soles of ones feet. This is not easilyaccomplished for people who, due to medical conditions for example,cannot easily reach their feet with their hands.

[0005] There has been a long felt desire for a device which can be usedto clean, massage and remove calluses from ones feet which is simple,effective and which can be done during the normal course of bathingand/or showering.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Hence, it is object of the present invention to provide a footbrush which can clean feet to remove calluses without requiring the userto reach their feet with their hands.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a footbrush which can be used in a bathing fixture, such as a shower or bathtub, without modification of the bathing fixture.

[0008] A particular feature is the ability of the foot brush toself-drain thereby eliminating water from pooling.

[0009] Another particular feature is the multiplicity of regions whereeach region performs different functions from the other regions in anaesthetically pleasing and convenient arrangement.

[0010] These and other advantages, as would be realised to one ofordinary skill in the art, are provided in a foot brush comprising abase further comprising a top and a bottom. A washing region comprisingfirst fibers is attached to the top of the base. An abrasive regioncomprising an abrasive surface is integral to the base and a scrubbingregion comprising second fibers is also attached to the base.

[0011] Another embodiment is provided in a foot brush comprising a basewith a top and a bottom. An indentation is included in said base whereinthe indentation comprises an abrasive and perforations. A first regionis attached to the top of the base wherein the first region comprisesfirst fibers attached to the base and the first region circumvents theindentation. A second region, also attached the top of the base isprovided wherein the first region is between the second region and theindentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top-side view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The inventors of the present application have developed, throughdiligent research, a foot brush providing multiple functions ofcleaning, massaging and removing calluses from the feet of the user.

[0016] The invention will be described with reference to the figuresforming a part of the present application. In the various figuressimilar elements are numbered accordingly.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, the foot brush comprises a base, 4, generally in the shape of afish. The projected shape of the base is chosen for aesthetic purposesand does not alter the utility of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is partial cut-away side view of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0021] The foot brush comprises three primary regions. A wash region, 3,an abrasive region, 2, and a scrub region, 1.

[0022] The wash region, 3, comprises tall fibers attached to the basepreferably by insertion into a receiving void as commonly employed byhair and tooth brushes. The wash region preferably forms an arc. Thetall fibers are preferably soft and particularly suited to reach betweenthe toes to clean the space therein. The tall fibers are preferably atleast 1 inch tall to no more than about 3 inches long. Most preferablythe tall fibers are about 2 inches long. Below about 1 inch long thefibers are not sufficiently long to reach between the toes and aroundthe sides of the foot for adequate cleaning. If the fibers are longerthan about 3 inches long they tend to mat easily which becomesunsightly. The fibers preferably form rows inserted into the base in amanner common to hair brushes and the like. In a particularly preferredembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, every other row is parallel and angledin a first direction with the remaining rows being parallel and angledin a reverse direction such that the fibers cross. This alternatingorientation allows for adequate scrubbing action. The fibers preferablyform an angle with the base with the acute angle being between about 35°and about 90°.

[0023] The abrasive region, 2, is preferably formed into the base, 4, orstiff fibers attached to the base. The abrasive region is mostpreferably indented into the base. The lowest extent of the abrasiveregion comprises perforations, 9, to allow water to pass through therebyeliminating standing water. The perforations also form a roughenedsurface. The roughened surface allows for the removal of calluses on theheel by repeatedly rubbing the heel over the roughened surface. Theabrasive region preferably comprises a slope, or terraces, between thelowest extent and the upper surface of the base. The abrasiveness iscreated by surface undulations on the surface of the abrasive region orby stiff fibers. Moulding, ablating, or otherwise altering the surfaceof the material used to form the base may create the undulations. Theundulations may be created by the incorporation a substance into thebase material. The substance can create surface protrusions includingstiff fibers. Material which can be incorporated into the base materialincludes sand, silica, plastics and other hard materials.

[0024] The scrubbing region, 1, comprises short stiff fibers. Shortstiff fibers are particularly suitable for scrubbing and massaging thesoles of the feet. The short fibers are preferably at least 0.25 inchesto no more than 0.75 inches. Above 0.75 inches the fibers become to longto scrub adequately and below 0.25 inches the fibers become to short toflex adequately. The scrubbing region is rearward of the washing regionand preferably forms an arc which, at least partially, circumvents theabrasive region. In one embodiment, the scrubbing region circumvents thecentral region.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rearward region comprises a primaryscrubbing region, 1, and a secondary scrubbing region, 8. The secondaryscrubbing region, 8, is preferably between the washing region and theabrasive region and may form a transition between the fibers of theprimary scrubbing region and the washing region. In one embodiment thelength of the fibers of the primary scrubbing region and secondaryscrubbing region are substantially the same length with the stiffness offibers in one region different from that of the other region. Forexample, the fibers of the secondary region may be stiffer than those ofthe primary region.

[0026] The base is preferably formed of a flexible material, mostpreferably, rubber. The base is most preferably about 0.25 to about 0.75inches thick with about 0.5 inches thick most preferred. The base ispreferably substantially planar on the lower side with suction cupssecured to the lower side. The suctions cups are most preferablyintegral to the base and formed as part of the based. Suction cupsreversible attach to the surface of a bath-tub or shower by excludingair to from a slight negative pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.The suction cups prohibit the foot brush from sliding. It is preferredthat the top surface of the base be contoured with no non-perforateddepressions. Most preferred is a base with a top surface that iscontoured such that water will not accumulate except that which entersthe central region. As described previously, the central region isperforated to allow water to pass through without accumulating. The baseis therefore self-draining which reduces the possibility of waterpooling and prohibit bacteria growth in the pools of water.

[0027] The size of the base is chosen to be sufficiently large toperform the intended function but not so large as to be obtrusive. Abase no longer than about 12 inches in any direction is particularlypreferred. A base with a long axis and a short axis is preferred withthe short axis being preferably no more than about 10 inches in length.It is most preferred that the short axis be at least about 4 inches longand the long axis be at least 5 inches long. A foot brush with a base ofapproximately 8 inches by 10 inches is particularly preferred.

[0028] Various embodiments are provided in the illustrations. In FIGS. 1and 2 a foot brush is illustrated wherein the scrubbing regioncircumvents the abrasive region. In this embodiment the washing regionmay comprise a primary scrubbing region, 1, and a secondary scrubbingregion, 8, which is distinct from the primary scrubbing region. Inanother embodiment the primary scrubbing region and secondary scrubbingregion may be indistinguishable.

[0029] An embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the primaryscrubbing region, 1, and secondary scrubbing region, 8, are distinct andseparated. The primary and secondary scrubbing regions may compriseidentical fibers or the fibers of the two regions may differ in length,thickness or stiffness. The secondary scrubbing region is optional butpreferred.

[0030] The fibers are preferably manufactured from an anti-bacterialmaterial.

[0031] The foot brush can be used dry or wet. In a particularlypreferred embodiment the foot brush is secured to the floor, or wall, ofa bath tub or shower. The foot brush can be used with, or without, soapsor oils.

[0032] The invention has been described with particular emphasis on thepreferred embodiments. It would be realized from the teachings hereinthat other embodiments, alterations, and configurations could beemployed without departing from the scope of the invention which is morespecifically set forth in the claims which are appended hereto.

1. A foot brush comprising: a base comprising a top and a bottom; a washing region comprising first fibers attached to said top of said base; an abrasive region comprising an abrasive surface; and a scrubbing region comprising second fibers attached to said base.
 2. The foot brush of claim 1 wherein said first fibers are at least about 1 inch long to no more than about 3 inches long.
 3. The foot brush of claim 1 wherein said first fibers are arranged in rows and attached to said base to protrude therefrom at an angle.
 4. The foot brush of claim 3 wherein said rows comprise a first row and a second row and wherein said first row protrudes from said base at an angle of between about 35° to less than 90° and said second row protrudes from said base at an angle opposite to said first row between about 35° to less than 90°.
 5. The foot brush of claim 1 wherein said second fibers are at least 0.25 inches long to no more than 0.75 inches long.
 6. The foot brush of claim 1 wherein said abrasive region is a depression in said base.
 7. The foot brush of claim 6 wherein said depression comprises perforations.
 8. The foot brush of claim 1 wherein said bottom of said base comprises suction cups.
 9. A foot brush comprising: a base comprising a top and a bottom; an indentation in said base wherein said indentation comprises an abrasive and perforations; a first region attached to said top of said base wherein said first region comprises first fibers attached to said base and said region circumvents said indentation; a second region attached to said top of said base wherein said first region is between said second region and said indentation.
 10. The foot brush of claim 9 wherein said first region comprises a primary region and a secondary region and said primary region comprises said first fiber and said secondary region comprises a third fiber.
 11. The foot brush of claim 9 wherein said first region comprises a primary region and a secondary region and said secondary region is between said indentation and said second region.
 12. The foot brush of claim 9 wherein said top of said base is contoured such that water cannot accumulate. 